Hinge connecting method of simple beams on prestressed concrete bridge



p 15, 1970 AKIRA SUGAWA 53,528,208

HINGE CONNECTING METHOD OF SIMPLE BEAMS O PRES'I'RESSED CONCRETE BRIDGE Filed Dec. 26, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. I

INVEA/MQ ,4/024 swan/4 Sept. 15, 1970 AKIRA SUGAWA 3,528 208 HINGE CONNECTING METHOD. OF SIMPLE BEAMS ON PRESTRESSED CONCRETE BRIDGE Filed D60. 26, v1968 2 Sheets-Sheet Fig. 4

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A flaws/s United States Patent Office 3,528,288 Patented Sept. 15 1970 3,528,208 HINGE CONNECTING METHOD OF SIMPLE BEAMS N PRESTRESSED CONCRETE BRIDGE Akira Sugawa, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, Japan, assignor to Kyushu Kogen Concrete (30., Tenjin, Fukioka-shi,

Japan Filed Dec. 26, 1968, Ser. No. 787,011 Int. Cl. E04b /06, 5/26 U.S. Cl. 52-259 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment of a bridge structure in which I-shaped P.C. (Prestressed Concrete) beams are employed; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the manner in which steel bearing plates are mounted in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the steel bearing plates of the embodiment of FIG. 1 as assembled; FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of a bridge structure in which T-shaped P.C. beams are employed; FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the manner in which steel bearing plates are mounted in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5; and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the bearing steel plates of the embodiment of FIG. 4 as assembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a process and an apparatus for building a bridge in which simple P.C. beams are connected with each other at their ends to provide a connecting bridge structure.

In prestressed concrete bridges, reinforced concrete bridges and steel bridges of the simple beam type, it has hitherto been customary to provide an expansion joint between the ends of adjacent beams. This arrangement has, however, a disadvantage in that expansion joints interfere with a smooth running surface for motor vehicles if the bridge is an expressway. Moreover, the expansion joints are liable to suffer damage and destruction, causing damage to the bridge. Measures for obviating the aforementioned disadvantages have been taken at an enormous cost.

The present invention obviates the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art. The invention will be explained with reference to embodiments shown in the drawmgs.

1 and 1 refer to simple main-beams erected between bridge piers (or abutments) a. The main beams 1 and 1' are opposed to each other at their end surfaces and supported by the bridge pier a through an elastic shoe 2 formed of synthetic rubber or synthetic resin. Ducts 3 formed in the main-beams 1 and 1' and opening on the underside thereof each loosely receive therein an anchor bolt 4 mounted on the upper surface of the bridge pier a so as to accommodate horizontal movements of the main-beams.

5 refers to filler concrete which fills the gap between the main-beams 1 arranged parallel to each other. Filler concrete 5 also fills the gap between the main-beams 1' arranged parallel to each other and opposed at their end surfaces to the end surfaces of the main-beams 1. Steel reinforcing grids 6 and steel bearing plates 7 are embedded in the ends of the filler concrete 5 and the filler concrete 5 which are opposed to each other.

As shown in FIG. 3, the steel bearing plate 7 is formed with a protruding rib 7 formed in the center of the plate and disposed transversely thereof. The protruding rib 7 is formed with openings 7" for receiving steel connecting rods (P.C. steel rods, steel reinforcement or the like) 8 to be inserted therein. Anchor bolts 9 are mounted on the steel bearing plate in such a manner as to surround the steel connecting rods 8. It is to be understood that the steel connecting rods and the anchor bolts are bent at their ends to provide hook-shaped ends.

The bearing plate 7 can be made of rubber instead of steel. In case it is made of rubber, it is not required to provide the protruding rib in the plate.

The steel reinforcing grids 6 and the steel bearing plates 7 are embedded in the filler concrete while the filler concrete is being filled in the gap, so that the protruding ribs 7' and 7 of the bearing steel plates 7 and 7 mounted on the end surfaces of the filler concrete 5 and the filler concrete 5' respectively are disposed in abutting relation with each other, with the connecting steel rods 8 extending through the abutment.

10 refers to a transverse clamping bolt for holding the main-beam and the filler concrete together as a unit, and

11 refers to a joint cover. IGAS (a joint filler made of rubber) 13 is filled in the gapbetween the two abutting bearing plates 7 and 7'. The gap 12 being between two opposite end surfaces of the filler concrete may be covered with a foam material, such as polystyrene foam or the like. 14 refers to a pavement.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the steel bearing plate embedded in the filler concrete on its end surface is firmly secured in place by means of anchor bolts and connecting steel rods, and the bearing plates opposed to each other are in abutting relation with each other at their protruding ribs to form a hinged connection. The tensile force occurring between the adjacent bridge members is resisted by the connecting rods; when compressive force occurs between adjacent bridge members, the bearing plates offer resistance thereto; and upon application of a load to the bridge members, the beams can be pivoted at the hinged connection.

The gap 12 between two bridge members can be maintained substantially constant at all times. The joint of the bridge members may be covered with any joint cover 11 as desired, such as a copper plate, lead plate, asphaltimpregnated rubber sponge or the like, and paving can be effected continuously on the upper surface of the beams and the concrete including the joints disposed therebetween. When this invention is applied to the construction of an expressway, the motor vehicles can run smoothly on the pavement 14 and no excess impacts are applied to the bridge structure.

The beams rest on the bridge piers with the elastic shoe being disposed therebetween, so that the beams can be deflected freely under loading when the beams are pivoted about the hinge. The beams are firmly fixed to and supported by a fixed supporting bridge pier which is disposed at 70 to meter interval throughout the length of the bridge structure, and all the horizontal reaction force of each connecting member of the bridge is borne by said fixed supporting bridge pier. Thus, the intermediate free supporting bridge piers are subjected to only the vertical reaction force and not to the horizontal reaction force. This permits a saving on expenses for bridge piers. Since the bridge members are connected together, there is no possibility of the bridge breaking down when a load in excess of a design load is applied as when an earthquake occurs.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a sheath 15 may be embedded in the filler concrete and a steel connecting rod 8' may be inserted into the sheath and clamped thereto by using a tension jack. The steel rod is anchored at its opposite ends by means of anchor plates 16 and nuts 17. Grease or the like is then filled in the gap between the sheath and the steel connecting rod, and anchor holes are covered with concrete.

I claim:

1. A hinge device for interconnecting simple beams in a support structure, comprising a first group of longitudinally extending beams arranged in laterally spaced parallel relationship, a second group of longitudinally extending simple beams arranged in laterally spaced parallel relationship with each beam in said second group disposed in longitudinal axial alignment with a corresponding said beam in said first group, the adjacent ends of said first and said second beams being spaced closely apart, filler concrete deposited between said first beams and said second beams to fill the spaces therebetween, said filler concrete extending for the length of said first beams and said second beams and the adjacent ends of said filler concrete being spaced apart, a first bearing plate being positioned in the end of said filler concrete between said first beams and adjacent the ends of said second beams, a second bearing plate being positioned in the end of said filler concrete between said second beams and abutting the adjacent surface of said first bearing plate, means for anchoring said first and second bearing plates into said filler concrete, and longitudinally extending connecting means extending through said first and second bearing plates and being anchored into the filler concrete between said first group of beams and between said second group of beams.

2. A hinge device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first bearing plate and said second bearing plate each having a protuberance facing the other, and said protuberances being in abutting relationship.

3. A hinge device, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said protuberances having a convex arcuate configuration extending outwardly from the adjacent surfaces of said first and second bearing plates.

4. A hinge device, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said connecting means comprising a rod passing through said protuberances.

5. A hinge device, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said anchoring means being disposed laterally about said connecting rod.

6. A hinge device, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said anchoring means comprises a number of longitudinally extending rods secured at one end to said bearing plate and extending therefrom into said filler concrete and having a hooked end within said filler concrete.

7. A hinge device, as set forth in claim 4, wherein the ends of said connecting rods within said filler concrete having hooked ends.

8. A hinge device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bearing plates are made of steel.

9. A hinge device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bearing plates are made of rubber.

10. A hinge device, as set forth in claim 3, wherein a rubber filler being positioned between the adjacent surfaces of said bearing plates spaced apart by said protuberances.

11. A hinged device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said connecting means comprises a tubular sheath member, a connecting rod disposed within and extending from said sheath at its opposite ends, and means on the opposite ends of said connecting rod for anchoring said anchoring rod into said filler concrete.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,295,216 9/1942 Joy 52431 2,538,443 1/ 1951 Delvaux 52229 FOREIGN PATENTS 510,326 9/1952 Belgium. 1,279,303 10/ 1968 Germany.

HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 52396, 424, 582 

